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Faisal Ahmed Patel feels the Congress should be in the hands of Shashi Tharoor or other deserving leaders who are “25 times” worthier than the Gandhi scions
(From left) Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, Faisal Ahmed Patel. (File/X)
Congress leader Faisal Patel, son of Sonia Gandhi loyalist the late Ahmed Patel, has blamed the “lost Gandhis” – Rahul and Priyanka – for the recent Bihar drubbing. Faisal feels the party should be in the hands of Shashi Tharoor or other deserving leaders who are “25 times” worthier than the Gandhi scions.
Faisal said the “lost Gandhis inept and they need to step aside”.
Ahmed Patel, who passed away in 2020, was one of the most trusted and influential leaders within the Indian National Congress. He was the key political advisor to Sonia Gandhi and considered a “crisis manager for the party”. He served as the political secretary to Sonia Gandhi for many years after she became Congress President.
The Congress managed one of its worst performances in Bihar, winning only six seats. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had termed the Bihar Assembly results as “truly surprising” and said, “We could not achieve victory in an election that was not fair from the very beginning”.
He said he would like the Gandhis to step aside because they are doing a disservice to the cause of the Opposition and by extension democracy that needs an alternative.
He said he was in touch with PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and may opt for the Bharatiya Janata Party that has a “wonderful work culture” led by “hard workers”.
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18 in August, Faisal had alleged that a “cliqueish culture” dominated by “out-of-control advisors” is hurting the party.
He had said these advisors have managed to influence Rahul Gandhi in ways that alienate experienced and well-meaning loyalists.
He had also disagreed with Rahul Gandhi’s endorsement of Donald Trump’s description of India as a “dead economy,” stating, “I wouldn’t have agreed with that assessment.”
He had gone on to praise BJP leaders, saying, “Modi ji, Shah are doing a great job. Dr. Jaishankar is very good too. The country is in safe hands.”
News18 had earlier reported how despite the widespread complaints heard during the one-on-one sessions conducted by the top leadership—including grievances that the “vote chori” issue was poorly communicated on the ground and that Delhi leaders failed to connect with grassroots workers — the central leadership is committed to the single-point agenda of alleging electoral fraud.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 28, 2025, 12:12 IST
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